Direct dyeing composition for keratinic fibers containing a thickening polymer with an ether plastic skeleton

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a direct dyeing composition for keratinic fibers, especially human keratinic fibers such as hair, containing at least one direct dye and a thickening polymer with an ether plastic skeleton, in a medium which is suitable for dyeing. The invention also relates to dyeing methods and devices for using the invention composition.

The present invention relates to a composition for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers, and in particular of human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising at least one direct dye and at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton.

It is known practice to dye keratin fibers, and in particular human hair, with dye compositions containing direct dyes, in particular nitrobenzene dyes, acidic azo dyes, cationic azo dyes, anthraquinone dyes and natural dyes.

These colorations may be performed by directly applying the composition containing the direct dye(s) directly onto the keratin fibers or by applying a mixture, prepared at the time of use, of a composition containing the direct dye(s) with a composition containing an oxidizing bleaching agent that is preferably aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution. In this case, the dyeing is referred to as lightening direct dyeing.

To localize the dyeing product on application to the hair so that it does not run down the face or beyond the areas which it is proposed to dye, use has been made hitherto of conventional thickeners such as crosslinked polyacrylic acid, hydroxyethylcelluloses, certain polyurethanes, waxes or mixtures of nonionic surfactants with an HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) value, which, when suitably chosen, give rise to the gelling effect when they are diluted with water and/or surfactants.

However, the Applicant has found that the thickening systems mentioned above do not make it possible to obtain intense and chromatic shades of low selectivity and good staying power, while at the same time leaving the treated hair in a good cosmetic condition. Moreover, the Applicant has also found that ready-to-use dye compositions containing the direct dye(s) and also the thickener systems of the prior art do not allow a sufficiently precise application without running or falls in viscosity over time.

However, after considerable research conducted in this matter, the Applicant has now discovered that it is possible to obtain direct dye compositions that do not run and thus remain satisfactorily localized at the point of application, and that also make it possible to obtain powerful and chromatic (luminous) shades with low selectivity and good staying power with respect to chemical agents (shampoos, permanent-waving agents, etc.) or natural agents (light, perspiration, etc.) while at the same time giving the hair good cosmetic properties, if an effective amount of a polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton is introduced (i) either into the composition containing at least one direct dye [or composition A1], or (ii) into the oxidizing composition [or composition B1] used for the lightening direct dyeing, or (iii) into both compositions at the same time.

These discoveries form the basis of the present invention.

One subject of the present invention is thus a composition for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers, in particular human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising, in a medium that is suitable for dyeing, at least one direct dye, which is characterized in that it also contains at least one polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton.

Another subject of the invention relates to a ready-to-use composition for dyeing keratin fibers, which contains at least one direct dye and at least one polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton and an oxidizing agent.

The expression “ready-to-use composition” means any composition intended to be applied immediately to keratin fibers.

The invention is also directed toward a process for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers, and in particular of human keratin fibers such as the hair, which consists in applying to the fibers a composition containing, in a medium that is suitable for dyeing, at least one direct dye and at least one polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton.

The invention is also directed toward a process for the lightening direct dyeing of keratin fibers, and in particular of human keratin fibers such as the hair, which consists in applying to the fibers a mixture, prepared at the time of use, of a composition A1 containing, in a medium that is suitable for dyeing, at least one direct dye, and of a composition B1 containing at least one oxidizing agent, the composition A1 and/or the composition B1 containing at least one polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton.

A subject of the invention is also devices for the direct dyeing and lightening direct dyeing of human keratin fibers, or two-compartment “kits”.

A two-compartment device for direct dyeing according to the invention comprises a first compartment containing, in a medium that is suitable for dyeing, at least one direct dye, and a second compartment containing at least one polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton.

Other two-compartment devices for lightening direct dyeing according to the invention comprise a compartment that contains a composition A1 containing, in a medium that is suitable for dyeing, at least one direct dye, and another compartment containing a composition B1 containing, in a medium that is suitable for dyeing, an oxidizing agent, at least one polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton being present in the composition A1 or the composition B1, or in each of the compositions A1 and B1.

However, other characteristics, aspects, subjects and advantages of the invention will emerge even more clearly on reading the description and the examples that follow.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “aminoplast-ether” means any product derived from the condensation of an aldehyde with an amine or an amide.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term “aminoplast-ether” also means any structural unit formed from an aminoplast residue and a divalent hydrocarbon-based residue linked to the aminoplast residue via an ether bond.

The polymers with an aminoplast-ether skeleton that are used according to the invention are preferably chosen from those containing at least one unit of structure (I) below:

in which:

-   AMP is an aminoplast residue with alkylene units, -   R denotes a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical or a C₁-C₄ acyl     radical, -   R₀₁ is a divalent alkyleneoxy residue, -   p denotes a positive integer,     the group(s) OR being linked to the alkylene units of the AMP     residue.

Preferably, the polymers with an aminoplast-ether skeleton are chosen from those containing at least one unit of structure (II) below:

in which:

-   AMP, R, R₀₁ and p have the same meaning as above, -   R₀₂ is a hydrophobic group other than RO linked to AMP via a hetero     atom and comprising at least two carbon atoms, and -   q is a positive integer.

Even more preferably, the polymers of the invention are of formulae (III) and (IIIa) below:

in which:

-   AMP, R, R₀₁, R₀₂, p and q have the same meaning as above, R₂ or R₃,     which may be identical or different, represent an end group that can     denote a hydrogen atom, a group R₀₁H, a group R₀₂H, a group AMP(OR)p     or any monofunctional group such as alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl,     aralkyl, alkylaryl, alkyloxyalkyl, aryloxyalkyl or cycloalkoxyalkyl,     a being a number greater than 1 and preferably greater than 2.

The aminoplast residues bearing the groups OR thereof integrated into the polymers of the invention may be chosen, in a nonlimiting manner, from structures (IV) to (XV) below:

in which:

-   R has the same meaning as above, -   R1 denotes C₁-C₄ alkyl, -   y is a number at least equal to 2, -   x denotes 0 or 1.

Preferably, the aminoplast residue(s) bearing the groups OR thereof is (are) chosen from those of structure (XVI) below:

in which R, p and x have the same meanings as above.

The divalent alkyleneoxy residues are preferably those corresponding to the diols of general formula (XVII) below: HO-(ZO)y-(Z1(Z2O)w)t-(Z′O)y′-Z3OH  (XVII),

-   y and y′ being numbers ranging from 0 to 1000, -   t and w being numbers ranging from 0 to 10, -   Z, Z′, Z2 and Z3 are C₂-C₄ alkylene radicals and preferably radicals     —CH2—CH(Z4)- and —CH2—CH(Z4)-CH2—, -   Z1 being a linear or cyclic, branched or unbranched, aromatic or     nonaromatic radical optionally comprising one or more hetero atoms     containing from 1 to 40 carbon atoms, -   Z4 denoting a hydrogen atom or a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical or a C₁-C₃ acyl     radical, it being understood that at least one of the radicals Z4 of     the radicals Z, Z′, Z2 and Z3 is other than acyl.

Preferably, Z4 denotes a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical.

Even more preferably, t=0 and Z, Z′ and Z3 denote —CH2CH2—, and at least one of the groups from among y and y′ is other than 0. The compounds of formula (XVII) are then polyethylene glycols.

The aminoplast-ether polymors of formula (I) according to the invention are described in particular in patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,373, the content of which forms an integral part of the invention.

As polymers with an aminoplast-ether skeleton of formula (I), mention may be made in particular of the products Pure-Thix L [PEG-180/Octoxynol-40/TMMG Copolymer (INCI name)], Pure-Thix M [PEG-180/Laureth-50/TMMG Copolymer (INCI name)] and Pure-Thix HH [Polyether-1 (INCI name)] sold by the company Sud-Chemie.

The polymers with an aminoplast-ether skeleton are preferably used in an amount that can range from about 0.01% to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the ready-to-use dye composition. More preferably, this amount ranges from about 0.1% to 5% by weight.

The direct dyes that may be used according to the invention are preferably chosen from neutral, acidic or cation; c nitrobenzene direct dyes, neutral, acidic or cationic azo direct dyes, quinone direct dyes and in particular neutral, acidic or cationic anthraquinone direct dyes, azine direct dyes, triarylmethane direct dyes, indoamine direct dyes and natural direct dyes.

Among the benzenic direct dyes that may be used according to the invention, mention may be made, in a nonlimiting manner, of the following compounds:

-   1,4-Diamino-2-nitrobenzene -   1-Amino-2-nitro-4-β-hydroxyethylaminobenzene -   1-Amino-2-nitro-4-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)aminobenzene -   1,4-Bis(β-hydroxyethylamino)-2-nitrobenzene -   1-β-Hydroxyethylamino-2-nitro-4-bis(β-hydroxyethylamino)benzene -   1-β-Hydroxyethylamino-2-nitro-4-aminobenzene -   1-β-Hydroxyethylamino-2-nitro-4-(ethyl)(β-hydroxyethyl)aminobenzene -   1-Amino-3-methyl-4-β-hydroxyethylamino-6-nitrobenzene -   1-Amino-2-nitro-4-β-hydroxyethylamino-5-chlorobenzene -   1,2-Diamino-4-nitrobenzene -   1-Amino-2-β-hydroxyethylamino-5-nitrobenzene -   1,2-Bis(β-hydroxyethylamino)-4-nitrobenzene -   1-Amino-2-tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino-5-nitrobenzene -   1-Hydroxy-2-amino-5-nitrobenzene -   1-Hydroxy-2-amino-4-nitrobenzene -   1-Hydroxy-3-nitro-4-aminobenzene -   1-Hydroxy-2-amino-4,6-dinitrobenzerie -   1-β-Hydroxyethyloxy-2-β-hydroxyethylamino-5-nitrobenzene -   1-Methoxy-2-β-hydroxyethylamino-5-nitrobenzene -   1-β-Hydroxyethyloxy-3-methylamino-4-nitrobenzene -   1-β,γ-Dihydroxypropyloxy-3-methylamino-4-nitrobenzene -   1-β-Hydroxyethylamino-4-β,γ-dihydroxypropyloxy-2-nitrobenzene -   1-β,γ-Dihydroxypropylamino-4-trifluoromethyl-2-nitrobenzene -   1-β-Hydroxyethylamino-4-trifluoromethyl-2-nitrobenzene -   1-β-Hydroxyethylamino-3-methyl-2-nitrobenzene -   1-β-Aminoethylamino-5-methoxy-2-nitrobenzene -   1-Hydroxy-2-chloro-6-ethylamino-4-nitrobenzene -   1-Hydroxy-2-chloro-6-amino-4-nitrobenzene -   1-Hydroxy-6-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)amino-3-nitrobenzene -   1-β-Hydroxyethylamino-2-nitrobenzene -   1-Hydroxy-4-β-hydroxyethylamino-3-nitrobenzene.

Among the azo direct dyes that may be used according to the invention, mention may be made of the cationic azo dyes described in patent applications WO 95/15144, WO-95/01772 and EP-714 954, the content of which forms an integral part of the invention.

Among azo direct dyes that may also be mentioned are the following dyes, described in the Color Index International 3rd edition:

-   Disperse Red 17 -   Acid Yellow 9 -   Acid Black 1 -   Basic Red 22 -   Basic Red 76 -   Basic Yellow 57 -   Basic Brown 16 -   Acid Yellow 36 -   Acid Orange 7 -   Acid Red 33 -   Acid Red 35 -   Basic Brown 17 -   Acid Yellow 23 -   Acid Orange 24 -   Disperse Black 9.

Mention may also be made of 1-(4′-aminodiphenylazo)-2-methyl-4-bis(β-hydroxyethyl)aminobenzene and 4-hydroxy-3-(2-methoxyphenylazo)-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid.

Among the quinone direct dyes that may be mentioned are the following dyes:

-   Disperse Red 15 -   Solvent Violet 13 -   Acid Violet 43 -   Disperse Violet 1 -   Disperse Violet 4 -   Disperse Blue 1 -   Disperse Violet 8 -   Disperse Blue 3 -   Disperse Red 11 -   Acid Blue 62 -   Disperse Blue 7 -   Basic Blue 22 -   Disperse Violet 15 -   Basic Blue 99     and also the following compounds: -   1-N-Methylmorpholiniumpropylamino-4-hydroxyanthraquinone -   1-Aminopropylamino-4-methylaminoanthraquinone -   1-Aminopropylaminoanthraquinone -   5-β-Hydroxyethyl-1,4-diaminoanthraquinone -   2-Aminoethylaminoanthraquinone -   1,4-Bis(β,γ-dihydroxypropylamino)anthraquinone.

Among the azine dyes that may be mentioned are the following compounds:

-   Basic Blue 17 -   Basic Red 2.

Among the triarylmethane dyes that may be used according to the invention, mention may be made of the following compounds:

-   Basic Green 1 -   Acid Blue 9 -   Basic Violet 3 -   Basic Violet 14 -   Basic Blue 7 -   Acid Violet 49 -   Basic Blue 26 -   Acid Blue 7.

Among the indoamine dyes that may be used according to the invention, mention may be made of the following compounds:

-   2-β-Hydroxyethylamino-5-[bis(β-4′-hydroxyethyl)amino]anilino-1,4-benzoquinone -   2-β-Hydroxyethylamino-5-(2′-methoxy-4′-amino)anilino-1,4-benzoquinone -   3-N-(2′-Chloro-4′-hydroxy)phenylacetylamino-6-methoxy-1,4-benzoquinone     imine -   3-N-(3′-Chloro-4′-methylaminophenylureido-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone     imine -   3-[4′-N-(Ethyl,carbamylmethyl)amino]phenylureido-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone     imine.

Among the natural direct dyes that may be used according to the invention, mention may be made of lawsone, juglone, alizarin, purpurin, carminic acid, kermesic acid, purpurogallin, protocatechaldehyde, indigo, isatin, curcumin, spinulosin and apigenidin. It is also possible to use extracts or decoctions containing these natural dyes, and especially henna-based poultices or extracts.

The direct dye(s) preferably represent(s) from 0.001% to 20% by weight approximately relative to the total weight of the ready-to-use composition, and even more preferably from 0.005% to 10% by weight approximately.

More particularly, the compositions according to the invention can also contain at least one cationic or amphoteric substantive polymer.

For the purposes of the present invention, the expression “cationic polymer” denotes any polymer containing cationic groups and/or groups that can be ionized into cationic groups.

The cationic polymers that can be used in accordance with the present invention may be chosen from any of those already known per se as improving the cosmetic properties of the hair, i.e. in particular those described in patent application EP-A-337 354 and in French patents FR-2 270 846, 2 383 660, 2 598 611, 2 470 596 and 2 519 863.

The preferred cationic polymers are chosen from those which contain units containing primary, secondary, tertiary and/or quaternary amine groups which can either form part of the main polymer chain or which can be carried by a lateral substituent that is directly attached thereto.

The cationic polymers used generally have a number-average molecular mass of between 500 and 5×10⁶ approximately, and preferably between 10³ and 3×10⁶ approximately.

Among the cationic polymers, mention may be made more particularly of polymers of poly(quaternary ammonium), polyamino amide and polyamine type. These are known products. They are described in particular in French patents Nos. 2 505 348 or 2 542 997. Among said polymers, mention may be made of:

-   (1) Homopolymers or copolymers derived from acrylic or methacrylic     esters or amides and comprising at least one of the units of formula     (I), (II), (III) or (IV) below:     in which: -   R₃, which may be identical or different, denote a hydrogen atom or a     CH₃ radical; -   A, which may be identical or different, represent a linear or     branched alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably 2 or 3     carbon atoms, or a hydroxyalkyl group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms; -   R₄, R₅ and R₆, which may be identical or different, represent an     alkyl group containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms or a benzyl radical     and preferably an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; -   R₁ and R₂, which may be identical or different, represent hydrogen     or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and     preferably methyl or ethyl; -   X denotes an anion derived from an inorganic or organic acid, such     as a methosulfate anion or a halide such as chloride or bromide.

Polymers of family (1) can also contain one or more units derived from comonomers which may be chosen from the family of acrylamides, methacrylamides, diacetone acrylamides, acrylamides and methacrylamides substituted on the nitrogen with lower (C₁-C₄) alkyls, acrylic or methacrylic acids or esters thereof, vinyllactams such as vinylpyrrolidone or vinylcaprolactam, and vinyl esters.

Thus, among these polymers of family (1), mention may be made of:

-   copolymers of acrylamide and of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate     quaternized with dimethyl sulfate or with a dimethyl halide, such as     the product sold under the name Hercofloc by the company Hercules, -   the copolymers of acrylamide and of     methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride described, for     example, in patent application EP-A-080 976 and sold under the name     Bina Quat P 100 by the company Ciba Geigy, -   the copolymer of acrylamide and of     methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium methosultate sold under the     name Reten by the company Hercules, -   quaternized or non-quaternized vinylpyrrolidone/dialkylaminoalkyl     acrylate or methacrylate copolymers, such as the products sold under     the name “Gafquat” by the company ISP, such as, for example,     “Gafquat 734” or “Gafquat 755”, or alternatively the products known     as “Copolymer 845, 958 and 937”. These polymers are described in     detail in French patents 2 077 143 and 2 393 573, -   dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate/vinylcaprolactam/vinylpyrrolidone     terpolymers, such as the product sold under the name Gaffix VC 713     by the company ISP, -   vinylpyrrolidone/methacrylamidopropyldimethylamine copolymers sold     in particular under the name Styleze CC 10 by ISP, and -   quaternized vinylpyrrolidone/dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide     copolymers such as the product sold under the name “Gafquat HS 100”     by the company ISP. -   (2) The cellulose ether derivatives containing quaternary ammonium     groups, described in French patent 1 492 597, and in particular     polymers sold under the names “JR” (JR 400, JR 125 and JR 30M) or     “LR” (LR 400, or LR 30M) by the company Union Carbide Corporation.     These polymers are also defined in the CTFA dictionary as quaternary     ammoniums of hydroxyethylcellulose that has reacted with an epoxide     substituted with a trimethylammonium group. -   (3) Cationic cellulose derivatives such as cellulose copolymers or     cellulose derivatives grafted with a water-soluble monomer of     quaternary ammonium, and described in particular in U.S. Pat. No.     4,131,576, such as hydroxyalkylcelluloses, for instance     hydroxymethyl-, hydroxyethyl- or hydroxypropylcelluloses grafted, in     particular, with a methacryloylethyltrimethylammonium,     methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium or dimethyldiallylammonium     salt.

The commercial products corresponding to this definition are more particularly the products sold under the names “Celquat L 200” and “Celquat H 100” by the company National Starch.

-   (4) The cationic polysaccharides described more particularly in U.S.     Pat. Nos. 3,589,578 and 4,031,307, such as guar gums containing     cationic trialkylammonium groups. Guar gums modified with a salt     (e.g. chloride) of 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium are used, for     example.

Such products are sold in particular under the trade names Jaguar C13 S. Jaguar C 15, Jaguar C 17 or Jaguar C162 by the company Meyhall.

-   (5) Polymers consisting of piperazinyl units and of divalent     alkylene or hydroxyalkylene radicals containing straight or branched     chains, optionally interrupted by oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atoms     or by aromatic or heterocyclic rings, as well as the oxidation     and/or quaternization products of these polymers. Such polymers are     described, in particular, in French patents 2 162 025 and 2 280 361. -   (6) Water-soluble polyamino amides prepared in particular by     polycondensation of an acidic compound with a polyamine; these     polyamino amides can be crosslinked with an epihalohydrin, a     diepoxide, a dianhydride, an unsaturated dianhydride, a     bis-unsaturated derivative, a bis-halohydrin, a bis-azetidinium, a     bis-haloacyldiamine, a bis-alkyl halide or alternatively with an     oligomer resulting from the reaction of a difunctional compound     which is reactive with a bis-halohydrin, a bis-azetidinium, a     bis-haloacyldiamine, a bis-alkyl halide, an epihalohydrin, a     diepoxide or a bis-unsaturated derivative; the crosslinking agent is     used in proportions ranging from 0.025 to 0.35 mol per amine group     of the polyamino amide; these polyamino amides can be alkylated or,     if they contain one or more tertiary amine functions, they can be     quaternized. Such polymers are described, in particular, in French     patents 2 252 840 and 2 368 508. -   (7) The polyamino amide derivatives resulting from the condensation     of polyalkylene polyamines with polycarboxylic acids followed by     alkylation with difunctional agents. Mention may be made, for     example, of adipic acid/dialkylaminohydroxyalkyldialkylenetriamine     polymers in which the alkyl radical contains from 1 to 4 carbon     atoms and preferably denotes methyl, ethyl or propyl. Such polymers     are described in particular in French patent 1 583 363.

Among these derivatives, mention may be made more particularly of the adipic acid/dimethylaminohydroxypropyl/diethylenetriamine polymers sold under the name “Cartaretine F, F4 or F8” by the company Sandoz.

-   (8) The polymers obtained by reaction of a polyalkylene polyamine     containing two primary amine groups and at least one secondary amine     group with a dicarboxylic acid chosen from diglycolic acid and     saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having from 3 to 8 carbon     atoms. The molar ratio between the polyalkylene polyamine and the     dicarboxylic acid is between 0.8:1 and 1.4:1; the polyamino amide     resulting therefrom is reacted with epichlorohydrin in a molar ratio     of epichlorohydrin relative to the secondary amine group of the     polyamino amide of between 0.5:1 and 1.8:1. Such polymers are     described in particular in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,227,615 and 2,961,347.

Polymers of this type are sold in particular under the name “Hercosett 57” by the company Hercules Inc. or alternatively under the name “PD 170” or “Delsette 101” by the company Hercules in the case of the adipic acid/epoxypropyl/diethylenetriamine copolymer.

-   (9) Cyclopolymers of alkyldiallylamine or of dialkyldiallylammonium,     such as the homopolymers or copolymers containing, as main     constituent of the chain, units corresponding to formula (V) or     (VI):     in which formulae k and t are equal to 0 or 1, the sum k+t being     equal to 1; R₉ denotes a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical; R₇ and     R₈, independently of each other, denote an alkyl group having from 1     to 22 carbon atoms, a hydroxyalkyl group in which the alkyl group     preferably has 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a lower C₁-C₄ amidoalkyl group,     or R₇ and R₈ can denote, together with the nitrogen atom to which     they are attached, heterocyclic groups such as piperidyl or     morpholinyl; R₇ and R₈, independently of each other, preferably     denote an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; Y⁻ is an     anion such as bromide, chloride, acetate, borate, citrate, tartrate,     bisulfate, bisulfite, sulfate or phosphate. These polymers are     described in particular in French patent 2 080 759 and in its     Certificate of Addition 2 190 406.

Among the polymers defined above, mention may be made more particularly of the dimethyldiallylammonium chloride homopolymer sold under the name “Merquat 100” by the company Calgon (and its homologues of low weight-average molecular mass) and copolymers of diallyldimethylammonium chloride and of acrylamide, sold under the name “Merquat 550”.

-   (10) The quaternary diammonium polymer containing repeating units     corresponding to the formula:     in which formula (VII): -   R₁₀, R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₃, which may be identical or different,     represent allphatic, al; cyclic or arylaliphatic radicals containing     from 1 to 20 carbon atoms or lower hydroxyalkylaliphatic radicals,     or alternatively R₁₀, R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₃, together or separately,     constitute, with the nitrogen atoms to which they are attached,     heterocycles optionally containing a second hetero atom other than     nitrogen, or alternatively R₁₀, R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₃ represent a linear     or branched C₁-C₆ alkyl radical substituted with a nitrile, ester,     acyl or amide group or a group —CO—O—R₁₄-D or —CO—NH—R₁₄-D where R₁₄     is an alkylene and D is a quaternary ammonium group; -   A₁ and B₁ represent polymethylene groups containing from 2 to 20     carbon atoms which may be linear or branched, saturated or     unsaturated, and which may contain, linked to or intercalated in the     main chain, one or more aromatic rings or one or more oxygen or     sulfur atoms or sulfoxide, sulfone, disulfide, amino, alkylamino,     hydroxyl, quaternary ammonium, ureido, amide or ester groups, and -   X⁻ denotes an anion derived from an inorganic or organic acid; -   A₁, R₁₀ and R₁₂ can form, with the two nitrogen atoms to which they     are attached, a piperazine ring; in addition, if A₁ denotes a linear     or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkylene or hydroxyalkylene     radical, B₁ can also denote a group —(CH₂)_(n)—CO-D-OC—(CH₂)_(n)— in     which D denotes:     -   a) a glycol residue of formula: —O-Z-O—, where Z denotes a         linear or branched hydrocarbon radical or a group corresponding         to one of the following formulae:         —(CH₂—CH₂—O)_(x)—CH₂—CH₂—         —[CH₂—CH(CH₃)—O]_(y)—CH₂—CH(CH₃)—     -   where x and y denote an integer from 1 to 4, representing a         defined and unique degree of polymerization or any number from 1         to 4 representing an average degree of polymerization;     -   b) a bis-secondary diamine residue such as a piperazine         derivative;     -   c) a bis-primary diamine residue of formula: —NH—Y—NH—, where Y         denotes a linear or branched hydrocarbon radical, or         alternatively the divalent radical         —CH₂—CH₂—S—S—CH₂—CH₂—;     -   d) a ureylene group of formula: —NH—CO—NH—.

Preferably, X⁻ is an anion such as chloride or bromide.

These polymers generally have a number-average molecular mass of between 1000 and 100,000.

Polymers of this type are described in particular in French patents 2 320 330, 2 270 846, 2 316 271, 2 336 434 and 2 413 907 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,273,780, 2,375,853, 2,388,614, 2,454,547, 3,206,462, 2,261,002, 2,271,378, 3,874,870, 4,001,432, 3,929,990, 3,966,904, 4,005,193, 4,025,617, 4,025,627, 4,025,653, 4,026,945 and 4,027,020.

It is more particularly possible to use polymers that consist of repeating units corresponding to the formula (VIII) below:

in which R₁₀, R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₃, which may be identical or different, denote an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms approximately, n and p are integers ranging from 2 to 20 approximately, and X⁻ is an anion derived from a mineral or organic acid.

-   (11) Poly(quaternary ammonium) polymers consisting of units of     formula (IX):     in which: -   p denotes an integer ranging from 1 to 6 approximately, -   D can be zero or can represent a group —(CH₂)_(r)—CO— in which r     denotes a number equal to 4 or 7, and -   X⁻ is an anion derived from a mineral or organic acid.

The cationic polymers comprising units of formula (IX) are disclosed in particular in patent application EP-A-122 324 and may be prepared according to the processes disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,157,388, 4,390,689, 4,702,906 and 4,719,282.

Among these polymers, the ones that are preferred are those with a molecular mass, measured by carbon-13 NMR, of less than 100 000, and in the formula of which:

-   p is equal to 3, and -   a) D represents a group —(CH₂)₄—CO—, X denotes a chlorine atom, the     molecular mass, measured by carbon-13 NMR (C¹³ NMR), being about     5600; a polymer of this type is proposed by the company Miranol     under the name Mirapol-AD1, -   b) D represents a group —(CH₂)₇—CO— and X denotes a chlorine atom,     the molecular mass, measured by carbon-13 NMR (C¹³ NMR), being about     8100; a polymer of this type is proposed by the company Miranol     under the name Mirapol-AZ1, -   c) D denotes the value zero and X denotes a chlorine atom, the     molecular mass, measured by carbon-13 NMR (C¹³ NMR), being about 25     500; a polymer of this type is sold by the company Miranol under the     name Mirapol-A15, -   d) a “block copolymer” formed from units corresponding to the     polymers described in paragraphs a) and c), sold by the company     Miranol under the names Mirapol-9 (C¹³ NMR molecular mass of about     7800), Mirapol-175 (C¹³ NMR molecular mass of about 8000) and     Mirapol-95 (C¹³ NMR molecular mass of about 12 500).

Even more particularly, the polymer which is preferred according to the invention is a polymer containing units of formula (IX) in which p is equal to 3, D denotes the value zero and X denotes a chlorine atom, the molecular mass, measured by carbon-13 NMR (C¹³ NMR), being about 25 500.

-   (12) Quaternary polymers of vinylpyrrolidone and of vinylimidazole,     such as, for example, the products sold under the names Luviquat FC     905, FC 550 and FC 370 by the company BASF. -   (13) Polyamines such as Polyquart H sold by Henkel under the     reference name “Polyethylene glycol (15) tallow polyamine” in the     CTFA dictionary. -   (14) Crosslinked methacryloyloxy(C₁-C₄)alkyltri(C₁-C₄)alkylammonium     salt polymers such as the polymers obtained by homopolymerization of     dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate quaternized with methyl chloride, or     by copolymerization of acrylamide with dimethylaminoethyl     methacrylate quaternized with methyl chloride, the homo- or     copolymerization being followed by crosslinking with a compound     containing olefinic unsaturation, in particular     methylenebisacrylamide. A crosslinked     acrylamide/methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride copolymer     (20/80 by weight) in the form of a dispersion containing 50% by     weight of said copolymer in mineral oil can be used more     particularly. This dispersion is sold under the name “Salcare® SC     92” by the company Allied Colloids. A crosslinked     methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride homopolymer     containing about 50% by weight of the homopolymer in mineral oil or     in a liquid ester can also be used. These dispersions are sold under     the names “Salcare® SC 95” and “Salcare® SC 96” by the company     Allied Colloids.

Other cationic polymers which can be used in the context of the invention are polyalkyleneimines, in particular polyethyleneimines, polymers containing vinylpyridine or vinylpyridinium units, condensates of polyamines and of epichlorohydrin, quaternary polyureylenes and chitin derivatives.

Among all the cationic polymers which can be used in the context of the present invention, it is preferred to use the polymers of families (1), (9), (10), (11) and (14) and even more preferably the polymers of formulae (W) and (U) below:

and in particular those in which the molecular weight, determined by gel permentation chromatography, is between 9500 and 9900; and in particular those in which the molecular weight, determined by gel permeation chromatography, is about 1200.

The concentration of cationic polymer in the compositions according to the present invention can range from 0.01% to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.05% to 5% and even more preferably from 0.1% to 3%.

The amphoteric polymers which can be used in accordance with the present invention can be chosen from polymers containing units K and M distributed randomly in the polymer chain, in which K denotes a unit derived from a monomer containing at least one basic nitrogen atom and M denotes a unit derived from an acid monomer containing one or more carboxylic or sulfonic groups, or alternatively K and M can denote groups derived from carboxybetaine or sulfobetaine zwitterionic monomers;

K and M can also denote a cationic polymer chain containing primary, secondary, tertiary or quaternary amine groups, in which at least one of the amine groups bears a carboxylic or sulfonic group connected via a hydrocarbon radical or alternatively K and M form part of a chain of a polymer containing an α,β-dicarboxylic ethylene unit in which one of the carboxylic groups has been made to react with a polyamine containing one or more primary or secondary amine groups.

The amphoteric polymers corresponding to the definition given above which are more particularly preferred are chosen from the following polymers:

-   (1) Polymers resulting from the copolymerization of a monomer     derived from a vinyl compound bearing a carboxylic group such as,     more particularly, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid,     α-chloroacrylic acid, and a basic monomer derived from a substituted     vinyl compound containing at least one basic atom, such as, more     particularly, dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylates and acrylates,     dialkylaminoalkylmethacrylamides and -acrylamides. Such compounds     are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,836,537. Mention may also be made     of the sodium acrylate/acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride     copolymer sold under the name Polyquart KE 3033 by the company     Henkel.

The vinyl compound can also be a dialkyldiallylammonium salt such as dimethyldiallylammonium chloride. The copolymers of acrylic acid and of the latter monomer are sold under the names Merquat 280, Merquat 295 and Merquat Plus 3330 by the company Calqon.

-   (2) Polymers containing units derived from:     -   a) at least one monomer chosen from acrylamides and         methacrylamides substituted on the nitrogen with an alkyl         radical,     -   b) at least one acidic comonomer containing one or more reactive         carboxylic groups, and     -   c) at least one basic comonomer such as esters containing         primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary amine substituents         of acrylic and methacrylic acids and the product of         quaternization of dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate with dimethyl         or diethyl sultate.

The N-substituted acrylamides or methacrylamides which are more particularly preferred according to the invention are groups in which the alkyl radicals contain from 2 to 12 carbon atoms and more particularly N-ethylacrylamide, N-tert-butylacrylamide, N-tert-octylacrylamide, N-octylacrylamide, N-decylacrylamide, N-dodecylacrylamide and the corresponding methacrylamides.

The acidic comonomers are chosen more particularly from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, itacoric acid, maleic acid and fumaric acid and alkyl monoesters, having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, of maleic or fumaric acids or anhydrides.

The preferred basic comonomers are aminoethyl, butylaminoethyl, N,N′-dimethylaminoethyl and N-tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylates.

The copolymers whose CTFA (4th edition, 1991) name is octylacrylamide/acrylates/butylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer such as the products sold under the name Amphomer or Lovocryl 47 by the company National Starch are particularly used.

-   (3) Crosslinked and alkylated polyamino amides partially or totally     derived from polyamino amides of general formula:     CO—R₁₉—CO-Z  (X)     in which R₁₉ represents a divalent radical derived from a saturated     dicarboxylic acid, a mono- or dicarboxylic aliphatic acid containing     an ethylenic double bond, an ester of a lower alkanol, having 1 to 6     carbon atoms, of these acids or a radical derived from the addition     of any one of said acids to a bis(primary) or bis(secondary) amine,     and Z denotes a bis(primary), mono- or bis(secondary)     polyalkylene-polyamine radical and preferably represents:     -   a) in proportions of from 60 to 100 mol %, the radical         where x=2 and p=2 or 3, or alternatively x=3 and p=2         this radical being derived from diethylenetriamine, from         triethylenetetraamine or from dipropylenetriamine;     -   b) in proportions of from 0 to 40 mol %, the radical (XI) above         in which x=2 and p=1 and which is derived from ethylenediamine,         or the radical derived from piperazine:     -   c) in proportions of from 0 to 20 mol %, the —NH—(CH₂)₆—NH—         radical derived from hexamethylenediamine, these polyamino         amines being crosslinked by addition of a difunctional         crosslinking agent chosen from epihalohydrins, diepoxides,         dianhydrides and bis-unsaturated derivatives, using from 0.025         to 0.35 mol of crosslinking agent per amine group of the         polyamino amide and alkylated by the action of acrylic acid,         chloroacetic acid or an alkane sultone, or salts thereof.

The saturated carboxylic acids are preferably chosen from acids having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, such as adipic acid, 2,2,4-trimethyladipic acid and 2,4,4-trimethyladipic acid, terephthalic acid, acids containing an ethylenic double bond such as, for example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and itaconic acid.

The alkane sultones used in the alkylation are preferably propane sultone or butane sultone, the salts of the alkylating agents are preferably the sodium or potassium salts.

-   (4) Polymers containing zwitterionic units of formula:     in which R₂₀ denotes a polymerizable unsaturated group such as an     acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide or methacrylamide group, y and z     represent an integer from 1 to 3, R₂₁ and R₂₂ represent a hydrogen     atom, methyl, ethyl or propyl, R₂₃ and R₂₄ represent a hydrogen atom     or an alkyl radical such that the sum of the carbon atoms in R₂₃ and     R₂₄ does not exceed 10.

The polymers comprising such units can also contain units derived from non-zwitterionic monomers such as dimethyl or diethylaminoethyl acrylate or methacrylate or alkyl acrylates or methacrylates, acrylamides or methacrylamides or vinyl acetate.

By way of example, mention may be made of the copolymer of methyl methacrylate/dimethylcarboxymethylammonio ethyl methacrylate such as the product sold under the name Diaformer Z301 by the company Sandoz.

-   (5) Polymers derived from chitosan containing monomer units     corresponding to the following formulae (XIII), (XIV) and (XV):     the unit (XIII) being present in proportions of between 0 and 30%,     the unit (XIV) in proportions of between 5 and 50% and the unit F in     proportions of between 30 and 90%, it being understood that, in this     unit (XV), R₂₅ represents a radical of formula:     in which     if q=0, R₂₆, R₂₇ and R₂₈, which may be identical or different, each     represent a hydrogen atom, a methyl, hydroxyl, acetoxy or amino     residue, a monoalkylamine residue or a dialkylamine residue which     are optionally interrupted by one or more nitrogen atoms and/or     optionally substituted with one or more amine, hydroxyl, carboxyl,     alkylthio or sulfonic groups, an alkylthio residue in which the     alkyl group bears an amino residue, at least one of the radicals     R₂₆, R₂₇ and R₂₈ being, in this case, a hydrogen atom;     or, if q=1, R₂₆, R₂₇ and R₂₈ each represent a hydrogen atom, as well     as the salts formed by these compounds with bases or acids. -   (6) Polymers derived from the N-carboxyalkylation of chitosan, such     as N-carboxymethylchitosan or N-carboxybutylchitosan sold under the     name “Evalsan” by the company Jan Dekker. -   (7) Polymers corresponding to the general formula (XI) such as those     described, for example, in French patent 1 400 366:     in which R₂₉ represents a hydrogen atom, a CH₃O, CH₃CH₂O or phenyl     radical, R₃₀ denotes hydrogen or a lower alkyl radical such as     methyl or ethyl, R₃₁ denotes hydrogen or a lower alkyl radical such     as methyl or ethyl, R₃₂ denotes a lower alkyl radical such as methyl     or ethyl or a radical corresponding to the formula: —R₃₃—N(R₃₁)₂,     R₃₃ representing a —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH₂—CH₂— or —CH₂—CH(CH₃)— group,     R₃₁ having the meanings mentioned above, as well as the higher     homologues of these radicals and containing up to 6 carbon atoms. -   (8) Amphoteric polymers of the type -D-X-D-X- chosen from:     -   a) polymers obtained by the action of chloroacetic acid or         sodium chloroacetate on compounds containing at least one unit         of formula:         -D-X-D-X-D-  (XVII)         where D denotes a radical         and X denotes the symbol E or E′, E or E′, which may be         identical or different, denoting a divalent radical which is an         alkylene radical containing a straight or branched chain         containing up to 7 carbon atoms in the main chain, which is         unsubstituted or substituted with hydroxyl groups and which can         contain, in addition to the oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur atoms, 1         to 3 aromatic and/or heterocyclic rings; the oxygen, nitrogen         and sulfur atoms being present in the form of ether, thioether,         sulfoxide, sulfone, sulfonium, alkylamine or alkenylamine         groups, hydroxyl, benzylamine, amine oxide, quaternary ammonium,         amide, imide, alcohol, ester and/or urethane groups;     -   b) Polymers of formula:         -D-X-D-X-  (XVIII)         in which D denotes a radical         and X denotes the symbol E or E′ and at least once E′; E having         the meaning given above and E′ is a divalent radical which is an         alkylene radical with a straight or branched chain having up to         7 carbon atoms in the main chain, which is unsubstituted or         substituted with one or more hydroxyl radicals and containing         one or more nitrogen atoms, the nitrogen atom being substituted         with an alkyl chain which is optionally interrupted by an oxygen         atom and necessarily containing one or more carboxyl functions         or one or more hydroxyl functions and betainized by reaction         with chloroacetic acid or sodium chloroacetate. -   (9) (C₁-C₅)alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymers partially     modified by semiamidation with an N,N-dialkylaminoalkylamine such as     N,N-dimethylaminopropylamine or by semiesterification with an     N,N-dialkanolamine. These copolymers can also contain other vinyl     comonomers such as vinylcaprolactam.

The amphoteric polymers that are particularly preferred according to the invention are those of family (1).

According to the invention, the amphoteric polymer(s) can represent from 0.01% to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.05% to 5% by weight and even more preferably from 0.1% to 3% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

The compositions of the invention preferably comprise one or more surfactants.

The surfactant(s) can be chosen without preference, alone or as mixtures, from anionic, amphoteric, nonionic, zwitterionic and cationic surfactants.

The surfactants that are suitable for carrying out the present invention are, in particular, the following:

(i) Anionic Surfactant(s):

As examples of anionic surfactants which can be used, alone or as mixtures, in the context of the present invention, mention may be made in particular (nonlimiting list) of salts (in particular alkaline salts, especially sodium salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, amino alcohol salts or magnesium salts) of the following compounds: alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkylamido ether sulfates, alkylarylpolyether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates; alkyl sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, alkylamide sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates; (C₆-C₂₄) alkyl sulfosuccinates, (C₆-C₂₄) alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, (C₆-C₂₄) alkylamide sulfosuccinates; (C₆-C₂₄) alkyl sulfoacetates; (C₆-C₂₄) acyl sarcosinates and (C₆-C₂₄) acyl glutamates. It is also possible to use the carboxylic esters of (C₆-C₂₄) alkylpolyglycosides, such as alkylglucoside citrates, alkypolyglycoside tartrates and alkylpolyglycoside sulfosuccinates, alkylsulfosuccinamates; acyl isethionates and N-acyltaurates, the alkyl or acyl radical of all of these various compounds preferably containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and the aryl radical preferably denoting a phenyl or benzyl group. Among the anionic surfactants which can also be used, mention may also be made of fatty acid salts such as the salts of oleic, ricinoleic, palmitic and stearic acids, coconut oil acid or hydrogenated coconut oil acid; acyl lactylates in which the acyl radical contains 8 to 20 carbon atoms. Alkyl-D-galactosideuronic acids and their salts, polyoxyalkylenated (C₆-C₂₄) alkyl ether carboxylic acids, polyoxyalkylenated (C₆-C₂₄) alkylaryl ether carboxylic acids, polyoxyalkylenated (C₆-C₂₄) alkylamido ether carboxylic acids and their salts, in particular those containing from 2 to 50 alkylene oxide, in particular ethylene oxide, groups, and mixtures thereof can also be used.

(ii) Nonionic Surfactant(s):

The nonionic surfactants are also compounds that are well known per se (see in particular in this respect “Handbook of Surfactants” by M. R. Porter, published by Blackie & Son (Glasgow and London), 1991, pp. 116-178) and, in the context of the present invention, their nature is not a critical feature. Thus, they can be chosen in particular from (non-limiting list) polyethoxylated or polypropoxylated alkylphenols, α-diols or alcohols having a fatty chain containing, for example, 8 to 18 carbon atoms, it being possible for the number of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide groups to range in particular from 2 to 50. Mention may also be made of copolymers of ethylene oxide and of propylene oxide, condensates of ethylene oxide and of propylene oxide with fatty alcohols; polyethoxylated fatty amides preferably having from 2 to 30 mol of ethylene oxide, polyglycerolated fatty amides containing on average 1 to 5, and in particular 1.5 to 4, glycerol groups; oxyethylenated fatty acid esters of sorbitan having from 2 to 30 mol of ethylene oxide; fatty acid esters of sucrose, fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol, alkylpolyglycosides, N-alkylglucamine derivatives, amine oxides such as (C₁₀-C₁₄)alkylamine oxides or N-acylaminopropylmorpholine oxides. It will be noted that the alkylpolyglycosides constitute nonionic surfactants that are particularly suitable in the context of the present invention.

(iii) Amphoteric or Zwitterionic Surfactant(s):

The amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants, whose nature is not a critical feature in the context of the present invention, can be, in particular (non-limiting list), aliphatic secondary or tertiary amine derivatives in which the aliphatic radical is a linear or branched chain containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms and containing at least one water-soluble anionic group (for example carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate or phosphonate); mention may also be made of (C₈-C₂₀)alkylbetaines, sulfobetaines, (C₈-C₂₀)alkylamido(C₁-C₆)alkylbetaines or (C₈-C₂₀)alkylamido(C₁-C₆)alkylsulfobetaines.

Among the amine derivatives, mention may be made of the products sold under the name Miranol, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,528,378 and 2,781,354 and classified in the CTFA dictionary, 3rd edition, 1982, under the names amphocarboxyglycinates and amphocarboxypropionates of respective structures: R₃₄—CONHCH₂CH₂—N(R₃₅)(R₃₆)(CH₂COO—) in which: R₃₄ denotes an alkyl radical derived from an acid R₃₄—COOH present in hydrolyzed coconut oil, a heptyl, nonyl or undecyl radical, R₃₅ denotes a β-hydroxyethyl group and R₃₆ denotes a carboxymethyl group; and R₃₄′—CONHCH₂CH₂—N(B)(C) in which:

-   B represents —CH₂CH₂OX′, C represents —(CH₂)_(z)—Y′, with z=1 or 2, -   X′ denotes the —CH₂CH₂—COOH group or a hydrogen atom, -   Y′ denotes —COOH or the —CH₂—CHOH—SO₃H radical, -   R₃₄′ denotes an alkyl radical of an acid R₃₇—COOH present in coconut     oil or in hydrolyzed linseed oil, an alkyl radical, in particular a     C₇, C₉, C₁₁ or C₁₃ alkyl radical, a C₁₇ alkyl radical and its iso     form, an unsaturated C₁₇ radical.

These compounds are classified in the CTFA dictionary, 5th edition, 1993, under the names disodium cocoamphodiacetate, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, disodium caprylamphodiacetate, disodium capryloamphodiacetate, disodium cocoamphodipropionate, disodium lauroamphodipropionate, disodium caprylamphodipropionate, disodium capryloamiphodipropionate, lauroamphodipropionic acid and cocoamphodipropionic acid.

By way of example, mention may be made of the cocoamphodiacetate sold under the trade name Miranol® C2M Concentrate by the company Rhodia Chimie.

(iv) Cationic Surfactants:

Among the cationic surfactants which may be mentioned in particular (nonlimiting list) are: primary, secondary or tertiary fatty amine salts, optionally polyoxyalkylenated; quaternary ammonium salts such as tetraalkylammonium, alkylamidoalkyltrialkylammonium, trialkylbenzylammonium, trialkylhydroxyalkylammonium or alkylpyridinium chlorides or bromides; imidazoline derivatives; or amine oxides of cationic nature.

The amounts of surfactants present in the ready-to-use composition according to the invention can range from 0.01% to 40% and preferably from 0.1% to 30% relative to the total weight of the composition.

The compositions according to the invention can also contain other agents for adjusting the rheology, such as cellulosic thickeners (hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, etc.), guar gum and its derivatives (hydroxypropyl guar, etc.), gums of microbial origin (xanthan gum, scleroglucan gum, etc.), synthetic thickeners such as crosslinked acrylic acid or acrylamidopropanesulfonic acid homopolymers and ionic or nonionic associative polymers such as the polymers sold under the names Pemulen TR1 or TR2 by the company Goodrich, Salcare SC90 by the company Allied Colloids, Aculyn 22, 28, 33, 44 or 46 by the company Rohm & Haas, and Elfacos T210 and T212 by the company Akzo.

These additional thickeners can represent from 0.01% to 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

The medium of the composition that is suitable for dyeing is preferably an aqueous medium consisting of water and may advantageously contain cosmetically acceptable organic solvents including, more particularly, alcohols such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol and phenylethyl alcohol, or glycols or glycol ethers such as, for example, ethylene glycol monomethyl, monoethyl and monobutyl ethers, propylene glycol or its ethers such as, for example, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, butylene glycol, dipropylene glycol and diethylene glycol alkyl ethers such as, for example, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether or monobutyl ether, in concentrations of between about 0.5% and 20% and preferably between about 2% and 10% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

The composition may also contain an effective amount of other agents, which are previously known elsewhere for direct dyeing, such as various common adjuvants, for instance sequestering agents such as EDTA and etidronic acid, UV screening agents, waxes, volatile or nonvolatile, cyclic or linear or branched silicones, which are possibly organomodified (especially with amine groups), preserving agents, ceramides, pseudoceramides, plant, mineral or synthetic oils, vitamins or provitamins, for instance panthenol, opacifiers, antioxidants, etc.

Needless to say, a person skilled in the art will take care to select the optional additional compound(s) mentioned above such that the advantageous properties intrinsically associated with the dye composition according to the invention are not, or are not substantially, adversely affected by the envisaged addition(s).

In the ready-to-use composition with oxidizing agent, the oxidizing agent is preferably chosen from hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, alkali metal bromates or ferricyanides, and persalts such as perborates and persulfates. It is particularly preferred to use hydrogen peroxide. This oxidizing agent advantageously consists of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution whose titer may range, more particularly, from about 1 to 40 volumes and even more preferably from about 5 to 40 volumes.

Oxidizing agents that may also be used are one or more redox enzymes such as laccases, peroxidases and 2-electron oxidoreductases (such as uricase), where appropriate in the presence of their respective donor or cofactor.

The pH of the ready-to-use composition [ready-to-use composition without oxidizing agent or composition resulting from the mixing of the dye composition A1 and of the oxidizing composition B1] is generally between the values 2 and 12. It is preferably between 3 and 11, and may be adjusted to the desired value by means of acidifying or basifying agents that are well known in the prior art in the dyeing of keratin fibers.

More preferably, when the composition contains an oxidizing agent for lightening fibers, the pH of the ready-to-use mixture is greater than 7 and even more preferably greater than ε.

Among the basifying agents that may be mentioned, for example, are aqueous ammonia, alkali metal carbonates, alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine and also derivatives thereof, oxyethylenated and/or oxypropylenated hydroxyalkylamines and ethylenediamines, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and the compounds of formula (XIX) below:

in which R is a propylene residue optionally substituted with a hydroxyl group or a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical; R₃₈, R₃₉, R₄₀ and R₄₁, which may be identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom, a C₁-C₄ alkyl radical or a C₁-C₄ hydroxyalkyl radical.

The acidifying agents are conventionally, for example, mineral or organic acids, for instance hydrochloric acid, orthophosphoric acid, carboxylic acids, for instance tartaric acid, citric acid or lactic acid, or sulfonic acids.

The dyeing process according to the invention preferably consists in applying the ready-to-use composition without oxidizing agent, A, or the composition prepared extemporaneously at the time of use from compositions A1 and B1 described above, to wet or dry keratin fibers, and leaving the composition to act for an exposure time preferably ranging from 1 to 60 minutes approximately, and more preferably from 10 to 45 minutes approximately, rinsing the fibers and then optionally washing them with shampoo, followed by rinsing them again and drying them.

One variant of this process consists in taking a composition A′ containing at least one direct dye but without polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton, and a composition A″ containing at least one polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton, and mixing together, at the time of use, these compositions A′ and A″ with the oxidizing composition B, and then applying the mixture and leaving it to act as previously.

Concrete examples illustrating the invention are given below, without, however, having any limiting nature.

EXAMPLE 1

The following compositions were prepared: (expressed in grams)

Oxidizing Composition:

-   Fatty alcohol . . . 2.3 -   Oxyethylenated fatty alcohol . . . 0.6 -   Fatty amide . . . 0.9 -   Glycerol . . . 0.5 -   Hydrogen peroxide . . . 7.5 -   Fragrance . . . qs -   Demineralized water . . . qs . . . 100

Dye composition: Oxyethylenated fatty alcohols 32.5 Oleic acid 2 Oleyl alcohol 1.8 Fatty amide 4 Glycerol 3 Cationic polymer of formula (W) as a 2 60% solution in water Merquat 280 2 Sequestering agent qs Reducing agent qs Aqueous ammonia (20% NH₃) 8 1,4-Diamino-2-nitrobenzene 0.6 Pure-Thix HH (INCI = Polyether-1) 0.3 AM* Water qs 100 AM* = Active Material

The dye composition was mixed, at the time of use, in a plastic bowl and for 2 minutes, with the oxidizing composition given above, in a proportion of 1 part of dye composition per 1.5 parts of oxidizing composition.

The mixture obtained was applied to locks of natural hair containing 90% white hairs, and was left on the locks for 30 minutes.

The locks were then rinsed with water, washed with standard shampoo, rinsed again with water and then dried and disentangled.

The hair was dyed in an intense red shade.

EXAMPLE 2

The following composition was prepared: (expressed in grams)

Oxyethylenated fatty alcohols 32.5 Oleic acid 2 Oleyl alcohol 1.8 Fatty amide 4 Glycerol 3 Basic Red 76 0.4 Pure-Thix HH (INCI = Polyether-1) 0.3 AM* 2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol qs pH 8.5 Water qs 100 AM* = Active Material

This composition was applied for 30 minutes to gray hair containing 90% white hairs. After rinsing and drying, the hair was dyed an intense red. 

1. A composition for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, comprising: at least one direct dye; and at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton.
 2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the keratin fibers are human keratin fibers.
 3. The composition according to claim 2, wherein the human keratin fibers are hair.
 4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton contains at least one unit of structure (I) below:

in which: AMP is an aminoplast residue with alkylene units; R is chosen from a hydrogen atom, C₁-C₄ alkyl radicals, and C₁-C₄ acyl radicals; R₀₁ is a divalent alkyleneoxy residue; p is a positive integer; and the OR groups are linked to the alkylene units of the AMP residue.
 5. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton contains at least one unit of structure (II) below:

in which: AMP is an aminoplast residue with alkylene units; R is chosen from a hydrogen atom, C₁-C₄ alkyl radicals, and C₁-C₄ acyl radicals; R₀₁ is a divalent alkyleneoxy residue; p is a positive integer; R₀₂ is a hydrophobic group other than an RO group linked to AMP via a hetero atom and comprising at least two carbon atoms; and q is a positive integer.
 6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein said at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton is chosen from at least one structure (III) and (IIIa) below:

in which: AMP is an aminoplast residue with alkylene units; R is chosen from a hydrogen atom, C₁-C₄ alkyl radicals, and C₁-C₄ acyl radicals; R₀₁ is a divalent alkyleneoxy residue; p is a positive integer; R₀₂ is a hydrophobic group other than an RO group linked to AMP via a hetero atom and comprising at least two carbon atoms; q is a positive integer; R2 and R3, which may be identical or different, are chosen from a hydrogen atom, R₀₁H groups, R₀₂H groups, AMP(OR)p groups, and monofunctional groups; and a is an integer greater than
 1. 7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein the monofunctional group is chosen from at least one of alkyls, cycloalkyls, aryls, aralkyls, alkylaryls, alkyloxyalkyls, aryloxyalkyls, and cycloalkoxyalkyl radicals.
 8. The composition according to claim 6, wherein a is an integer greater than
 2. 9. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the aminoplast residue bearing the OR groups is chosen from at least one structure (IV) to (XV) below:

wherein: R is chosen from a hydrogen atom, C₁-C₄ alkyl radicals, and C₁-C₄ acyl radicals; R1 is a C₁-C₄ alkyl; y is at least 2; and x is chosen from 0 and
 1. 10. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the OR groups bound to the aminoplast residue are chosen from at least one structure (XVI) below:

in which: R is chosen from a hydrogen atom, C₁-C₄ alkyl radicals, and C₁-C₄ acyl radicals; p is a positive integer; and x is chosen from 0 and
 1. 11. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the alkyleneoxy residues are chosen from at least one diol of general formula (XVII): HO-(ZO)y-(Z1(Z2O)w)t-(Z′O)y′-Z3OH, in which: y and y′ range from 0 to 1000; t and w range from 0 to 10; Z, Z′, Z2 and Z3 are C₂-C₄ alkylene radicals; and Z1 is chosen from linear, cyclic, branched, unbranched, aromatic, and nonaromatic radicals.
 12. The composition according to claim 11, wherein the C₂-C₄ alkylene radicals are —CH₂—CH(Z4)- and —CH₂—CH(Z4)-CH₂—, wherein Z4 is chosen from a hydrogen atom, C₁-C₄ alkyl radicals, and C₁-C₃ acyl radicals, wherein at least one of the Z4 radicals is not an acyl.
 13. The composition according to claim 11, wherein the Z1 radical contains at least one hetero atom.
 14. The composition according to claim 13, wherein the hetero atom is attached to 1 to 40 carbon atoms.
 15. The composition according to claim 12, wherein the Z4 radical is a hydrogen atom or a methyl radical.
 16. The composition according to claim 11, wherein t is 0 and Z, Z′ and Z3 are —CH₂CH₂—, wherein at least one of y and y′ is not
 0. 17. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton is chosen from the following products: PEG-180/Octoxynol-40/TMMG Copolymer; PEG-180/Laureth-50/TMMG Copolymer; and Polyesther-1.
 18. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
 19. The composition according to claim 1, wherein said at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton is present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
 20. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the direct dye is chosen from at least one of neutral, acidic, or cationic nitrobenzene direct dyes; neutral acidic or cationic azo direct dyes; quinone direct dyes; azine direct dyes; triarylmethane direct dyes; indoamine direct dyes; and natural direct dyes.
 21. The composition according to claim 20, wherein the quinone direct dye is chosen from at least one neutral, acidic or cationic anthraquinone direct dye.
 22. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the direct dye is present in concentrations ranging from about 0.001% to about 20% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
 23. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the direct dye is present in concentrations ranging from about 0.005% to about 10% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
 24. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises at least one polymer chosen from cationic and amphoteric polymers.
 25. The composition according to claim 24, wherein said at least one cationic polymer is a poly(quaternary ammonium) polymer containing repeating units corresponding to formula (W) below:


26. The composition according to claim 24, wherein said at least one cationic polymer is a poly(quaternary ammonium) polymer containing repeating units corresponding to formula (U) below:


27. The composition according to claim 24, wherein said at least one amphoteric polymer is a copolymer containing at least one acrylic acid monomer and a dimethyldiallylammonium salt.
 28. The composition according to claim 24, wherein said at least one polymer is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
 29. The composition according to claim 24, wherein said at least one polymer is present in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 5% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
 30. The composition according to claim 24, wherein said at least one polymer is present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 3% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
 31. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one surfactant chosen from anionic, cationic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants.
 32. The composition according to claim 31, wherein said at least one surfactant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 40% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
 33. The composition according to claim 31, wherein said at least one surfactant is present in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 30% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
 34. The composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one additional thickener.
 35. The composition according to claim 34, wherein said at least one additional thickener is chosen from cellulose derivatives, guar derivatives, gums of microbial origin, and synthetic thickeners.
 36. The composition according to claim 35, wherein said at least one additional thickener is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition.
 37. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the pH is from about 2 to about
 12. 38. A ready-to-use composition for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, comprising: at least one direct dye; at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton; and at least one oxidizing agent.
 39. The composition according to claim 38, wherein the oxidizing agent is chosen from hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, alkali metal bromates, alkali metal ferricyanides, persalts, and redox enzymes.
 40. The composition according to claim 39, wherein the redox enzymes are present with their respective donor or cofactor.
 41. The composition according to claim 39, wherein the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide.
 42. The composition according to claim 41, wherein the hydrogen peroxide is an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, the hydrogen peroxide content of which ranges from about 1 to about 40 volumes.
 43. The composition according to claim 38, wherein the pH is greater than about
 7. 44. The composition according to claim 38, wherein the pH is greater than about
 8. 45. A process for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers comprising: applying to the fibers a dye of a composition, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, comprising: at least one direct dye; and at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton.
 46. A process for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers comprising: applying to the fibers a dye of a ready-to-use composition, in medium acceptable for dyeing, comprising: at least one direct dye; at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton; at least one oxidizing agent.
 47. A process for the lightening direct dyeing of keratin fibers, comprising: applying to the fibers a composition resulting from mixing, at the time of use, (a) a first composition, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, comprising at least one direct dye; and (b) an oxidizing composition comprising an oxidizing agent; wherein at least one of said first composition and said oxidizing composition comprises at least one polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton.
 48. The process according to claim 45, comprising: (1) applying to wet or dry keratin fibers a composition, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, comprising: at least one direct dye; and at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton; (2) leaving it to act for an exposure time from about 1 to about 60 minutes; (3) rinsing the fibers; and (4) drying the fibers.
 49. The process according to claim 46, comprising: (1) applying to wet or dry keratin fibers a composition, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, comprising: at least one direct dye; at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton; and at least one oxidizing agent; (2) leaving it to act for an exposure time from about 1 to about 60 minutes; (3) rinsing the fibers; and (4) drying the fibers.
 50. The process according to claim 47, comprising: (1) applying to wet or dry keratin fibers (a) a first composition, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, comprising: at least one direct dye; and at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton; or (b) the composition prepared at the time of use from said first composition and said oxidizing composition; (2) leaving it to act for an exposure time from about 1 to about 60 minutes; (3) rinsing the fibers; and (4) drying the fibers.
 51. The process according to claim 48, further comprising: washing the fibers after rinsing the fibers; and rinsing the fibers again.
 52. The process according to claim 49, further comprising: washing the fibers after rinsing the fibers; and rinsing the fibers again.
 53. The process according to claim 50, further comprising: washing the fibers after rinsing the fibers; and rinsing the fibers again.
 54. A process for the lightening direct dyeing of keratin fibers comprising: (1) applying to the wet or dry keratin fibers a ready-to-use composition prepared at the time of use from a first composition comprising: (a) at least one direct dye; (b) a second composition containing at least one polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton; and (c) an oxidizing agent; (2) leaving the first composition to act for an exposure time ranging from about 1 to about 60 minutes; (3) rinsing the fibers; and (4) drying the fibers.
 55. The process according to claim 54, further comprising: washing the fibers after rinsing the fibers; and rinsing the fibers again.
 56. The process according to claim 45, wherein the composition for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, further comprises: at least one polymer chosen from cationic and amphoteric polymers; and at least one surfactant.
 57. The process according to claim 46, wherein the composition for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, further comprises: at least one polymer chosen from cationic and amphoteric polymers; and at least one surfactant.
 58. The process according to claim 47, wherein the composition for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, further comprises: at least one polymer chosen from cationic and amphoteric polymers; and at least one surfactant.
 59. The process according to claim 54, wherein the composition for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, further comprises: at least one polymer chosen from cationic and amphoteric polymers; and at least one surfactant.
 60. The process according to claim 47, wherein (1) the composition for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, comprises: at least one direct dye; and at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton; or (2) said first composition and/or said oxidizing composition comprise at least one polymer chosen from cationic and amphoteric polymers and at least one surfactant.
 61. A two-compartment device for the direct dyeing of keratin fibers, comprising: a first compartment containing a composition comprising at least one direct dye; and a second compartment containing a composition comprising at least one thickening polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton.
 62. A two-compartment device for the lightening direct dyeing of keratin fibers, comprising: a first compartment containing said first composition, in a medium acceptable for dyeing, comprising at least one direct dye; and a second compartment containing a second composition comprising an oxidizing agent and at least one polymer with an aminoplast-ether skeleton being present in at least one of said first composition and said second composition. 